Are you sleeping on toxic chemicals? You probably wouldn’t think so. But it turns out that many conventional mattresses are made with compounds that have been linked to cancer, like formaldehyde and fire retardants. A better, safer, more natural alternative can be found in an organic or natural latex mattress protected by organic cotton that also uses wool for fire safety. Perhaps the best manufacturer is PlushBeds, which is why I invited them to sponsor this post.

 First, What is a Natural Latex Mattress Made From?

100% Natural latex begins as a milky liquid that’s derived from ‘tapping’ live rubber trees that grow in tropical climates around the world. Natural latex is collected the same way maple trees are tapped for their syrup. The trees are not harmed and they provide a sustainable resource for latex. After it’s collected, the liquid latex is washed carefully and whipped into a natural latex foam that eventually becomes the mattress.

NOTE: Many latex mattresses use synthetic latex made from petrochemical products (oil, petroleum byproducts). Before you buy, read the label to be sure what you’re getting is a natural, botanically-based product.

What Else is Involved?

Mattress Case – Ideally, your mattress case should be made from certified organic cotton and 100% wool. Wool provides both a natural fire barrier and additional padding. Plus, its natural insulation and wicking properties keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Frame – Look for a wood frame, ideally one sourced from a sustainably managed forest. Avoid plastic.

Washable Mattress Protector – Mattress protectors are essential because that’s how you keep your mattress clean. You can’t wash an entire mattress, but you can toss the mattress protector in the laundry. By the way, you can easily spot clean your mattress with a few drops of natural liquid detergent mixed with water.

Look for Certifications Before You Buy

You know that here at Big Green Purse, we like to shine the spotlight on companies whose green claims have been backed up independently by third-party certification. That way, we can all get what we’re paying for, and the companies don’t get away with greenwashing (i.e., saying they’re green, but barely scratching the surface, if at all).

PlushBeds has secured several important certifications that I’d like to see every mattress manufacturer qualify for. They include:

GreenGuard Gold Certification – Through rigorous testing, UL Environment certifies that these mattresses meet some of the world’s most rigorous, third-party chemical emissions standards, with strict low emission limits for over 360 volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. By being certified at the Gold level, PlushBeds mattresses are beneficial for sensitive individuals such as children and the elderly. The mattresses get reviewed quarterly to maintain this seal of approval.

Global Organic Latex Standard and the Global Organic Textile Standard – These independent standards back up the company’s organic claims.

FSC – FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. Companies that display the FSC logo have been verified for using wood, paper, and forest products that have been sourced from sustainably-managed forests.

What Does An Organic or Natural Latex Mattress Cost?

I put this question directly to PlushBeds, because, with everything they had to offer, I thought it could be too expensive. Here’s what they had to say. “While buying organic materials does cost more than synthetic materials, the cost is mitigated by the fact that customers are buying direct from the manufacturer when they buy from PlushBeds. In most cases, when consumers walk into a local mattress store & see a mattress for $2,000, it’s typically a $1,000 mattress with a $1,000 markup. The mattress store is not being deceptive in anyway, it’s just the added cost in the retail distribution process; it covers their commissions, overhead, etc. By buying directly from the manufacturer, customers can buy higher quality materials without experiencing a substantial increase in cost. We’d like to think of it as customers getting more mattress for their money.”

 Non-Toxic Mattress Checklist

Before you buy any mattress, make sure it does NOT contain the following:

Bonus: Not every company goes the extra mile when it comes to being green. In the case of PlushBeds, they offer a $1,000 scholarship to a student seeking an “eco degree” in a variety of relevant majors, including environmental planningand management, biorenewable systems, biodiversity, and environmental studies.

The company also runs its website “carbon neutral” by making annual green donations equal in scope to their approximate carbon footprint.

At some point in time, all of us need to get a new mattress. When the time is ripe for you, consider a natural latex mattress. You’ll sleep more soundly – and more safely, too.

 PLUSHBEDS SALE

PlushBeds is currently offering the following discounts to the Big Green Purse community.

$1,200 off all latex mattresses
Each purchase of a latex mattress also includes:
2 free organic latex pillows
Free Egyptian sheet set
Free mattress protector
(a $376 value for the 3 free gifts)

$600 off all memory foam mattresses
Each purchase of a memory foam mattress also includes:
2 free organic latex pillows
Free Egyptian sheet set
Free mattress protector
(a $376 value for the 3 free gifts)

Every adjustable bed purchase includes a free 10 year extended warranty (valued at $349), as well as free white glove delivery (a $299 value). Sold tax free with free shipping, 100 night comfort exchange; 100 night money back guarantee.

The post Choose a Natural Latex Mattress to Sleep Soundly – and Safely appeared first on Big Green Purse.

5 Healthy Reasons to Choose a Green Mattress

If you’re in the market for a new mattress, there are at least five good reasons why choosing one that’s green makes sense.

#1 – Conventional Mattresses May Contain Toxic Glues and Chemicals – Conventional or synthetic mattresses are usually made from components that contain toxic chemicals that could affect you or your family to varying degrees.

Three of the most common are:

• VOCs – Petroleum-based polyester, nylon and polyurethane foam all emit VOCs, carbon-based compounds that can increase some people’s risk of health problems. Several studies suggest that exposure to VOCs may make symptoms worse in people who have asthma or are particularly chemically sensitive (as I am). Short-term exposure may irritate the eyes, nose or throat, cause headaches or nausea, and make people dizzy. Long-term exposure could cause cancer, liver or kidney damage, as well as problems with the central nervous system. Mattresses emit the most VOCs when they’re brand new, but they will continue to “off gas” for some time thereafter. If your mattress is 10 or 15 years old, it’s probably not emitting many VOCs at this point. But if you’re buying new, take VOCs into account.

• PBDE flame retardants. Mattresses made with synthetic foams, batting, or fabrics must be treated with flame-retarding chemicals to meet the federal open-flame flammability test. These “polybrominated diphenyl ethers” are “toxic to both humans and the environment,” says the U.S. EPA. While their use has been phased out by U.S. mattress manufacturers, mattresses made in foreign countries still may contain PBDEs. And the alternatives some U.S. companies are using may not be much safer than what they replaced.

• Organophosphate flame retardants. Flame-retardant chemicals in mattresses that contain any amount of polyurethane foam are called organophosphate chemicals. Unlike VOCs, these chemicals do not become gases. You won’t be able to smell them, and their concentration may increase over time, rather than decrease. The levels emitted are usually low. But since you’re spending so much time on your bed, and inhaling deeply when you sleep, it’s definitely an important consideration.

#2 – Conventional Mattresses May Pollute Indoor Air – The synthetic chemicals found in conventional mattresses easily “off gas” into the atmosphere.  Even if you’re not sleeping on a new mattress yourself, you could feel the effects once it’s in your home because you could potentially be inhaling the gasses emitted by your conventional mattress.

#3 – Conventional Mattresses May Get Moldy – All mattresses are prone to mold, since bodies sweat during the night and that sweat can penetrate the mattress. It’s a good idea to use a mattress protector, no matter what kind of mattress you have. Amerisleep says that the “breathability of our foam/cover helps manage moisture by keeping you cool.”

#4 – Conventional Mattresses Could Provide a Breeding Ground for Dust Mites – In the mattresses Amerisleep manufactures, says the company, the dense structure of the foam it uses makes it dust mite “resistant,” meaning that it’s more difficult for dust mites to nest and feed. By the way, beware companies that make claims that their mattresses are “dust mite free.” That is probably not possible.

#5 – Manufacturing and Delivery Make a Difference, too – When buying a mattress, think about it’s entire “life cycle,” in other words, how it was manufactured, what it is manufactured from, and even how it is delivered to a store or directly to you. For example, Amerisleep says it “uses a patented process for creating its foam called VPF (Variable Pressure Foaming). This helps the company avoid using chemicals like CFC/HCFC (which deplete the earth’s ozone layer), methylene chloride, and carbon dioxide,” which contributes to climate change. The company factory recycles essentially 100% of its internal waste. It also packages up the mattress in a roll rather than deliver it flat, which reduces its shipping fuel consumption, an average of 80%.

What To Look For Instead

There are no federal regulations or standards that a company needs to meet in order to claim its mattress is “green,” “eco-friendly,” or “natural.” Your best bet is to look for companies like Amerisleep that back up their green claims with the following information:

• Specific details on what the mattress is actually made of. Plant-based foam, untreated wool, organic cotton and natural latex derived from rubber trees are greener options than synthetic foams.

• Independent certification of its product claims. It’s always reassuring when a company backs up its green claims by showing that it’s met independent and meaningful environmental and health standards. That’s the difference between ‘green’ and ‘greenwashing.’

• Manufacturing location. Look for mattresses manufactured in the U.S. or Europe, where standards regulating use of toxic chemicals in mattresses may be more stringent than those manufactured in Asia or Latin America.

Note: Sponsored posts enable us to provide expert content at no cost to you. Thank you.

The post 5 Healthy Reasons to Choose a Green Mattress appeared first on Big Green Purse.